For newspapers its about circulation. For them to give up on the largest population in the area just eeks stupidity. There are some very good places to eat down here - not in the pleathora of the San Francisco restaurants but still good.

I used to live in San Mateo and I loved La Fonda on El Camino Real in San Mateo - near 25th. I found Foster City to be mostly a waste land of chain restaurants. I second the Tokie's rec.If you are willing to go to San Mateo - make that big trek over the freeway - on 25th there are a couple of little places we liked alot. La Lanterna (end of the street by the church) does pretty good Italian (better than Lucetti's). The Patio does a good breakfast/lunch (my favorite is the Monterey Burger). The Thai place on 25th is very good but I can't remember it's name.Oceanic on El Camino is the best "american style" chinese food and they used to deliver. There is a real "chinese" food place on 25th but again I can't remember the name.In Downtown SM we loved Joy Sushi and found it to be the best in the area. Not alot else down there interested us though.

Their subtitle on the web is "Cheap eats around the bay". South bay is more around the bay than Healdsburg, Calistoga, Sebatapool, etc. which are really Wine Country. Plus it doesn't cost to pay for a bridge to go there from SF. If they can drive there, they can drive to the south bay.

Piperade has a take out place in the Ice House. Good food and would cater to your take out lunch. The grocery store on the back side of the plaza has sandwiches, etc to go and they used to be pretty good.

I've lived in SF, San Mateo and now Los Gatos. The choice to eliminate the South Bay is bothersome. They could compete with the Mercury easily but they've chosen to ignore a huge portion of the population. There is a reason why the newspapers are in trouble and ignoring the largest city in the bay area is a big part of it. Lots of people work in the South Bay and commute from other places. It boggles the mind!!

Which location? I've had nothing but bad experiences at the one in Santana Row. If you're in the South Bay and wanting a great sushi experience, try Michi's. Just as good of a selection and a much nicer experience - not the hip bar scene that Blowfish is so a much calmer dinner and you don't end up yelling at your companions. They have recently opened up a second location on Winchester. I haven't been to that one yet but I've heard reports that it is just as good as the original.

I will have to see what is up with Valeriano's. I love Dio Dekka so I'm sure you and your guests will enjoy it. Did you consider Trevese for the dinner? I didn't recommend Dio Dekka because it's a higher price point but if you consider it moderate, then Trevese might be for you. If you don't mind a little drive, you could also check out Alexander's steak house. It's in Cupertino but it is a short drive. You might also want to check out The Plumed Horse in Saratoga.

That will present a challenge. Lots of good places to eat in LG but accomodating that many will be tough. You might be able to rent out somewhere but you'd have to guarantee it. Try Forbes Steak House, Tapestry, Steamers, California Cafe and Wine Cellar. They are all in the downtown Los Gatos area but not sure how big of groups they will take.

Getting to Beach Chalet/Cliff House from Noe Valley can take a while especially on public transport. Stick to something in the neighborhood for breakfast - Le Zinc, 24th Street Cafe, etc. if you want to be able to get all of the other stuff that day in and that way you are closer to BART. Food at both BC and CH are iffy at best anyway and you are paying for a view that most of the time in August you can't see due to the fog.

I've had good luck with 360 Burrito, La Salsa and Pasta Pomodoro for lunch meetings. Not sure if that will work for what you need but it should be close to your budget and better than safeway's box lunches and platters which I personally think are nasty tasting.

So my Dad's twin sisters, their husbands and our family descended on McCormick & Kuletto's for a long overdue get together. All of us are adults ranging from my son who will be 20 this year to I'm guessing about 75. The atmosphere at the restaurant is nice - fancy but not stuffy. The view was great even with a foggy night. We were able to see across to Sausalito/Tiburon, Angel Island and Alcatraz and watch the sky change color as the sun went down. One of the Aunts spent a long time staring at the people swimming in the bay and being amazed by it. I have to admit, I don't know how anyone actually does do that. Too cold for me. The service was attentive but not overly. I have a food allergy and the waiter not only checked the two dishes I asked about but checked on all of the salmon dishes and a couple of other specials just in case I had decided I'd like a different one. As for the food, I'd give them 3 1/2 stars. I was not able to eat the crab and shrimp cake appetizers we had so I can't rate them but my son loved it and they disappeared off the table. I had the Clam Chowder as a starter and it was average - nice and creamy but not a knock out. There was a good balance of clams and potato but I still needed to add my oyster crackers to it. I chose the Grilled Wild Salmon with corn pudding cake and cherry tomato salad. The fish was a little over cooked for my tastes, but then I like my fish very rare so I can't complain about that and I didn't tell them how I wanted my fish done. The corn pudding was yummy but the tomato salad was a little too vinegary but otherwise tasty.My son had the Mahi Mahi and since I had asked about that dish I knew I could taste it. It was done very well and I would get it if I go again and it is offered. It was breaded in Macadamia nuts and served in a milky sauce with plantains as an accompaniment. I enjoyed the small piece he gave me and he licked his plate clean.Other dishes ordered were Fisherman's Stew (a little of everything from the sea including a crawdad that neither of the people who ordered it knew how to get into - I told them to rip it in half and pretend it is a little lobster); grilled scallops and vegetables; penne pasta with salmon; tilapia in a nut crust with fruit salsa and rum sauce; and Petra sole in bread crumbs with mashed potatoes on the side. Everyone enjoyed their dishes and overall it was a satisfying meal. The menu changes daily and the fish tasted fresh. No one ordered wine but they had a nice selection of wines by the glass as well as bottles. Overall I would recommend it for a group gathering. I wouldn't come here on a "date" but for a group like this, it was appropriate and everyone found something that satisfied their particular tastes.

Disagree that Kamakura is the best sushi in Los Gatos. I prefer Sushi on the run to Kamakura but it is a tiny tiny hole in the wall and I don't know if they are open on weekends for lunch. 114 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030. I highly recommend Michi Sushi on Winchester but they aren't open for lunch on weekends but I hear that is changing when they move into their new space on Winchester and Knowles in the winter (just in case you are coming back some other time).I like Sweet Peas in downtown for lunch. I recommend their crepes. They are open on Saturdays. 453 N Santa Cruz Ave.Fleur de Coacoa is amazing. You should definately grab a quiche and a tart while you are in town. 39 N Santa Cruz Ave. http://www.fleurdecocoa.comI don't recommend LG Brew Pub. I've eaten here several times and felt that the beer was the best thing I had.I've had great experiences at Trevese but I've never been for brunch. If it's anything like their tasting menu you won't be disappointed. 115 N Santa Cruz Ave http://www.trevese.com.I will agree that Manresa is worth it. I hope that you enjoy your meal.

Town's End is not open on Mondays and won't return phone calls until after 7:30 am on Tuesdays. I looked on Open Table and it says "Not Available" whatever that means. I'm now thinking Waterfront, Ana Mandara, Le Colonial, McKormick and Kuletto's or Il Fornaio. Not as cheap as I wanted, but all are easy access for the older crowd as far as parking and I'm sure they will find something on the menu they will eat and not have stomach issues with. Would love feedback on it if you have any. It's been a while since I've been to any of them.

Helemand seems to get mixed reviews and it may be a little much to ask my 70 year old aunt and uncles to try afgahni - same issue with Maykadeh. I love Persian food but it may not sit well with the elders in the group.Not familiar with Bodega Bistro and they don't seem to have a website. From what Yelp shows it seems to be a better place for lunch and that area can be very iffy at night if memory serves.Looking at Open Table I find quite a few places that might work for us. Any opinions on Cote Sud? I've eaten here once a long time ago and enjoyed it.I haven't been to Home since the change ups. Any opinions?

I have relatives in town and they are staying near the wharf. There will be nine of us meeting up for dinner on Tuesday. My first thought was Fog City or Catch. Any suggestions? It's been a while since I have eaten out with a group in SF. I'm trying to not break the bank either.